Wasgamuwa National Park
The Wasgamuwa National Park lies within the Polonnaruwa and Matale
districts.Its eastern boundary is defined by the Mahaweli Ganga, the
northern and western boundaries are bordered by the Amban Ganga and the
southern boundary is formed largely by the Dunuwila Oya.
 Immediately
northeast lies the 17,350 ha Flood Plains National Park, downstream from
Wasgamuwa. To the north is the Minneriya Giritale Nature Reserve (7,529
ha).
The name of the park is supposed to be derived form the name "walas
gama" meaning 'bear country'. Wasgamuwa was initially a santuary but
after the villagers that lived within Wasgamuwa were resettled in the
Mahaweli areas, it was declared a national park.
There is historical evidence to that this area had been inhabited by
man during the ancient Sinhala kingdoms in BC. Giant canal of Kalinga (Kalinga
Yodha Ela) built in the reign by king Parakramabahu in the 12th century
while the remains of Malagamuwa, Wilmitiya, Wasgamuwa and Dasthota tanks
bear witness to the past prosperity of the area. Kalinga island (Kalinga
Duwa) too is an interesting place to visit.
Kadurupitiya, Dagoda, Baduruwayaya Buddha statue, Malagamuwa stone
pillars and other ruins also bear witness to the past glory of the area.
Yudanganapitiya where the armies camped during the battle of kings
Dutugemunu and Elara is yet another place of historical importance
within the Wasgamuwa National Park.
The main attraction in the park is the Elephants. Though the Mahaweli
river runs along one of the boundaries of the park, many elephants move
to Minneriya National Park during the drought season.
Therefore, the best place to see elephants during this season is the
Minneriya National Park where you can see herds upto 200 elephants.
Twenty-three species of mammals in Sri Lanka have been reported from
this park.
The most important of them is the number of wild elephant which is
approximately 150. In addition, one could see the wild buffaloes grazing
in the grassland while spotted deer roaming in the open areas. Occasions
where one comes across a leopard or a sloth bear are not rare. There are
also water Monitors and crocodiles roaming very often in the water holes
within the park. Of the 428 species of birds reported to be in Sri
Lanka, 143 species are found in this park.
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